Wikimedia Commons/Gill, W. L. (William L.), 1827-1893 — Photographer
Old Salem’s 252-Year Moravian Easter Dawn Tradition
Every Easter since 1772, brass bands have filled Old Salem’s streets at 2 a. m. with what locals call “18th century surround sound.” The tradition began in Germany when young Moravian men sang hymns at dawn in 1732.
When these settlers built Salem, North Carolina, they quickly set up God’s Acre cemetery, burying John Birkhead there in 1771. Soon after, they held their first sunrise service.
Today, over 500 musicians from 13 churches play through the night before thousands walk in silence to the cemetery at dawn…